The 1st panel depicting the cover of the book. Many know little of the colourful past of
the Moonambel Common.
It is used today for a variety of purposes
and acts as a focal point for many
community activities.
The Moonambel Arts and History Group (MAHG) has, for many years,
worked towards developing this area
as it is a listed Heritage Police Precinct
which is included in the Pyrenees Shire Planning Scheme Heritage overlay.
It is recorded that on 10 December 1860
a Police Station at Moonambel
and Redbank was established …
’in consequence of an extensive goldfield
with a population of about 30,000
having been opened and two townships having been established at those places’.
the Moonambel Common.
It is used today for a variety of purposes
and acts as a focal point for many
community activities.
The Moonambel Arts and History Group (MAHG) has, for many years,
worked towards developing this area
as it is a listed Heritage Police Precinct
which is included in the Pyrenees Shire Planning Scheme Heritage overlay.
It is recorded that on 10 December 1860
a Police Station at Moonambel
and Redbank was established …
’in consequence of an extensive goldfield
with a population of about 30,000
having been opened and two townships having been established at those places’.
2nd panel The Police Station and lock up were erected in 1861 on the Police Reserve.
Early records describe two lock ups and a shed as being located at the Police Camp.
A Magistrates’ Court was then built.
Today, the lock up is more or less hidden
by the long fence running along
the western side of The Common.
MAHG discovered this is a rare timber
‘Early Portable’ lock up.
In 2003 we obtained a grant from
the Department of Sustainability and Environment- Historic Places
and had the structure repaired.
In 2009 we combed Police Historical Archives in Melbourne and unearthed the only remaining Moonambel Charge Book 1883 – 1914.
Early records describe two lock ups and a shed as being located at the Police Camp.
A Magistrates’ Court was then built.
Today, the lock up is more or less hidden
by the long fence running along
the western side of The Common.
MAHG discovered this is a rare timber
‘Early Portable’ lock up.
In 2003 we obtained a grant from
the Department of Sustainability and Environment- Historic Places
and had the structure repaired.
In 2009 we combed Police Historical Archives in Melbourne and unearthed the only remaining Moonambel Charge Book 1883 – 1914.
The 4 panels in place. Over this time, we sought ways
to share this information with
the community and all interested in history.
We created a material 'mural'
with the details listed in the
Charge Book. We then sought grants to develop this idea.
It has taken many years to achieve what you see today.
The four panels include:
- The cover of the Moonambel Watch House Charge Book 1883 – 1914.
- The information of the 53 people held over that long period.
- Headings including the date, name, age, country of origin, their calling, charge and the offence along with remarks.
- Silhouette images on the original 'mural'
- Floor plans of the associated buildings.
- An excerpt from the original book.
At last we have achieved what we aimed for all those years ago.
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